Feeding device



(No Model.)

J. W. CRAIG.

FEEDING DEVICE.

N0. 324,090. Patented Aug. 11, 1885.

WITNESSES IN VEN TOR W I fid I I f 7 6 1 7 Atiorny N. PFIERS, vhnw-mn mnw. Wachlngion. 0.0.

| i I Q Q Nrrn STATES JOHN W. CRAIG, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

FEEDING DEViCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 324,090, dated August11, 1885.

Application filed August 23, 1884.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN WV. CRAIG, of Detroit, county of \Vayne, Stateof Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in FeedingDevices; and I declare the follow.- ing to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a feeding device or hopper designed especiallyfor feeding grain or granular substances into grain-crushing mills orgrinding rollers, purifiers, or other grinding and dressing machinerywhere continuous and regular feeding is required.

The object of the invention is to provide a feed hopper or chute whichis self-adjusting in relation to the feed-roller, so as to regulate thedischarge or feed therefrom,and is mounted or hung in the specificmanner hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a feeding deviceembodying my invention with parts broken away. Fig. 2 is an endelevation showing parts broken away.

The letter A designates an ordinary feedroll, which operates in thedischargemouth of ahopper, B, that is arranged above said roller, and isof any desired form or size. The hopper is pivotally hung or hinged atits upper end so as to swing freely, and it has eyes I) secured upon theoutside of the front thereof. Through these eyes is passed a horizontalbar or shaft, 0, which is jonrna-led in the side walls of the casing Dthat incloses said hopper; or said bar may have its bearings in othersuitable supports arranged in suitable relation to the hopper.

To the bar 0 is connected an arm, E, which extends at right anglesthereto, and carries a movable weight, 6. A downwardly-projectingspring-arm, F, is also connected with the bar 0 in any suitable manner,or it may be integral therewith.

As shown in the present instance, a spiral spring is connected with thelower end of said arm; but it is obvious that any other suitable form ofspring may be resorted to. The purpose of sai d spring-arm is to assistthe weighted (No model.)

arm E in the adjustment and operation of the hopper, and secure thespeedy return of the hopper to its normal position when any extra weighttherein has been relieved.

The operation of. the device is as follows: The stock is fed into thefeeding-hopper B, which is free to vibrate upon its pivotal connectionat the top, the amount of the vibration being regulated and controlledby the position of the weight 6 upon the arm E and the spring-arm F. Theopening of the throat at the base of the hopper is also regulated andadjusted as desired by means of the weighted arm to feed the stock, asrequired. Should the stock be fed into the hopper faster than it isbeing fed over the feed-roll A as the device is adjusted theaccumulation of stock in the hopper will speedily overcome theresistance of the weight of the arm and cause the hopper to tilt uponits axial support at the top, thus opening the throat wider and feedingout the stock over the feeding-roll more rapidly, preventing theclogging of the hopper; but as soon as this is done, and theaccumulation of stock in the hopper is re- 1ieved,the weighted arm E andspring-arm F cause the hopper to tilt back to the position to which itwas adjusted, closing the throat again to the position to which it wasregulated. This operation of course takes place automatically, theaccumulation of stock tilting the base of the hopper. so as to relievethe throat, the weighted and spring arms tilting it in the oppositedirection, thus effectually accomplishing a well-regulated feed of thestock over the feed-roll.

I am aware of the existence of English patent No. 5,699, granted A. D.1881, for a selfso as to leave it free at its lower end to oscillate bythe weight of the stock in the hopper,

and an adjustable counterbalance connected with the hopper for returningit to its posi- 5 tion, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the hopper B and the axis or shaft 0, having theweight-arm E and spring-arm F, said axis passing or being fitted to theupper front side of the hopper,

with a feed-roller, A, and a support or casing IO having bearings forthe shaft 0, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI sign this specification in the presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN WV. CRAIG. Vitnesses:

M. B. ODou-HERTY, N. S. \V RIGHT.

